The Bad Batch were obvious magnets for trouble. They just nearly escaped another group of bounty hunters that were chasing a lizard creature the Batchers stole from said hunters. Enough about that, now Hunter, Tech, Echo and Omega stood in Wrecker's room and watched a feisty mirialan healer almost forcefully spoonfeeding some medicine to the demolition expert. Tech was recording all of it. "Wrecker..." Ryki warned. The demolition expert scrunched his face after taking another whiff of the medicine. "No." He bluntly answered. Ryki narrowed her eyes on him, "Yes, you are." 

"No!" 

"YES!" the mirialan brought the bottle closer to Wrecker. The medicine was more like a drink really. She used it to relieve Wrecker's headaches and it worked like a charm, although it did smell and look like Krayt dragon acid. Wrecker groaned and backed up into a wall, the mirialan and Batchers surrounding him. He looked pitifully at the others. Hunter shrugged his shoulders, "Don't look at me. She's the doctor here." Poor Wrecker grumbled. "I AM the doctor." Ryki emphasized, "and you will drink this medicine, muscles!" Wrecker visibly shrunk into his armour. Omega and the others tried to quiet their laughter. 

"Or what?" Wrecker challenged. He puffed up his shoulders and stood at his full height. Hunter, Echo, Tech and Omega watched in silence as they waited for Ryki's come back. She wordlessly took out her tranquillizer, she delivered her answer with a deadpan expression. Eyes opening wider in shock and fear, Wrecker tried to evade one last time. "Your joking. R-right?" 

Ryki turned a sinister smile on her face. "Nope." One dramatic cat and mouse chase and a tranquillizer shot later, a content mirialan walked out of her patient's room with an empty bottle of medicine, Omega skipping happily behind her. She helped Ryki catch Wrecker. Back in the room, the brothers had learned not to argue with a doctor especially if she's a short, 5 foot, feisty mirialan. "You gonna delete that Tech?" Echo asked, you could see the fear in his eyes. Hunter nodded as well, waiting for Tech's reply.

 "Nope. I want some blackmail." 

------

- Ord Mantell -

Cid threw a tab to Hunter's. Ryki and the Batchers listened in as he read the list of items that they apparently owed Cid. Clear disagreement was evident in their faces. Ryki rolled her eyes and leaned into Cid's table. "Come on Cid. That amount isn't that much. You can definitely pay them more." 

The trandoshan replied snarkily. "You know, the last time I checked, I was the boss." "Yeah, but the wage you paid them is not even minimum." Ryki defended. "That's the way it works greeny." Cid hissed. Hunter had nearly given up trying to reason with Cid, but Ryki was persistent. After some slightly aggressive negotiations, they managed to earn an extra 500 credits; thanks to some available medicine stock. "Well, see Cid. That wasn't so tough." Ryki smiled at the sight of the money. The trandoshan rolled her eyes "You need a big score of us to be square,"  

"Like what?" Echo asked.

"Like retrieving that tactical droid, but you bungled that op." She scolded and folded her arms, clearly displeased with the failure from the first mission. Hunter grimaced. "I suggest you figure something out before you see my ugly side." She angrily pointed at the four. Tech dipped his head down towards Ryki, "That's not her ugly side?". Ryki suppressed a laugh "Maybe she has two." 

"What was that goggles?" Ryki grinned nervously and was about to say something but a convenient blaster shot interrupted them. The five ran out of Cid's office to the bar. Patrons scrambled out shrieking. There at the corner, Ryki's eyes spotted a hooded person slowly placing a smoking blaster on a table. "Hey, what's going on in here?" Cid angrily shoved her way in front of the clones. "Who are you?" She demanded. Echo quietly passed Ryki a blaster, "Stay low." He whispered. Slowly the person revealed himself. A man with blond hair. Chills ran through Ryki's mind. She sensed the immediate familiarity the boys had with the man, especially Echo. "You know him." She quietly deduced, lowering Echo's blaster. "Rex?" Echo's surprise confirmed her suspicion. This day just got a little more interesting.

-----

The boys now gathered around the bar. Ryki sat quietly beside Echo listening to the captain's tale of surviving the end of the war. Like the Bad Batch, he has been keeping a low profile from the Empire's reach. Tech marvelled at this, " Very low. Imperial files have you listed as killed in action." 

"Being dead in the Empire's eyes has its advantages," Rex informed. Ryki chuckled sadly, "Wish I had that ability." Suddenly all attention was on the mirialan. "New crew?" Rex asked. "Oh! Rex. This is Ryki. Ryki, Rex." Hunter introduced. Ryki lifted her cup, "Cheers,". Rex nodded "Your running from the Empire too?". Ryki hummed and shrugged her shoulders, "Something like that." 

"We recruited Ryki not too long ago. She'll be helping us blend in with the civies and lay low." Echo informed, and Ryki mock saluted.

"Oh. How's it been going so far?" the captain once again turned his attention to Ryki. "Not bad. Could use an invisibility cloak though." She teased. "I disagree. We're actually blending in pretty well." Tech hollered from the other end of the table. Ryki raised her eyebrows and smirked. "Tech-nically, we get shot at almost every time we do something, so..." 

Echo rolled his eyes playfully. "Anyways, how'd you track us down?" Ryki leaned in, curiously eager to find out as well. Rex explained that Trace and Rafa Martez had informed him after Corellia and that he would be able to them on Ord Mantell. They didn't fail to mention Omega as well. Wrecker and Omega walked into Cid's place after their small side adventure. Wrecker ran in with a smile and tightly hugged the captain first thing. Echo elbowed Ryki and grinned, "At least your medicine doesn't give him extra super strength." She grinned toothily, watching Wrecker lift Rex off the ground "Yeah. Would not be the best thing for the receiver's end of the hug."

"Ryki!" a jumpy blonde girl ran up to the mirialan. "Hey there Omy. Had fun?" Ryki fist-bumped Omega. The young clone nodded, "Uhm, who's that?" She asked, watching as Wrecker spun around with Rex. "I thought you didn't like the regs." 

Wrecker chuckled, "This one we like." As soon as Wrecker put Rex down, the captain turned to Omega. It was quite a sight to see the two interact. Curiously, Omega observed Rex quickly realising that he was a generation 1 clone. It surprised Rex as it did the Bad Batch. Ryki was still baffled by the idea that battle-hardened men would go soft for a chile. It was endearing. Rex laughed heartily at Omega's observation, "Yeah, I guess I've been around." 

"You got that right." Wrecker laughed but his merry attitude was cut short by another headache. "Tech, I need one of those med patches." He groaned, pressing a hand to the side of his head. "You used the last one," Tech told him. Rummaging through her bag, she took out Wrecker's medicine drink. "Here. You need to drink this then." Immediately Wrecker began to gag. "Ugh, Hunter..." Ryki complained. "Wrecker, this is all we have now." Hunter tried to help. 

"What's wrong?" Rex interrupted the group. "Nothing. Just a headache," told him, after Hunter successfully made him drink Ryki's medicine. "Which are becoming more frequent." Echo chimed in. "-and more intense." Ryki agreed. "Is that so?" Ryki sensed worry and doubt pouring out of Rex. "If you're concerned about the so-called inhibitor chips, don't be." Tech stepped up to calm Rex. "Our deviant nature appears to have impeded their functionality. Except in Crosshair."  

However, it didn't seem to calm Rex any further. It made him tenser about the situation. So tense, that sharp pricks of fear and torment seemed to reek of him and it flooded Ryki's senses. She was curious and tried to look deeper into the captain's mind. The surface memories filled her eyes and visions and voices slowly echoed in her mind. Intense fear, overwhelming pain, grief, betrayal, bloodshed. Rex began to step protectively in front of Omega "You're telling me you haven't removed your chips?" 

"No. Not yet." Tech informed. 

Silently, Rex's hand reached for his blaster. His body tensed up for a fight, putting Hunter, Tech and Echo on edge. There was still so much Ryki didn't understand about the clones and their inhibitor chips. Hunter explained them to her briefly but she still had many unanswered questions, especially about Order 66 and the Jedi. "Those chips make you a threat to everyone around you. Even Omega and Ryki." 

"Don't the chips only react when there are Jedi?" Ryki could not help but ask. Rex's eyes met her green ones, she could see conflict pass over his. "There have been incidents in the past where the chips activate prematurely, on their own caused by a malfunction. Clones turn aggressive and can't control their actions. They become paranoid. It makes them ticking time bombs." Ryki mulled over the grave warning. It seemed to click in with the raw emotions rippling of the captain. "Take it easy, captain." Hunter slowly confronted Rex. "What's in your head is more dangerous than you can imagine," Rex argued. "I've seen what happens when the chip activates, and I don't want to bury any more of our brothers."

Conflict and understanding spread amongst the Batchers. They knew too well the feeling to lose someone close, even if it's not death that separates them. "Trust me. It is not something you can control. I couldn't. It is a risk you do not want to take."  

"You should listen to him." Ryki finally spoke, grabbing the boys' attention. "What?" Hunter turned to Ryki. "The captain's warning. You should heed it." She explained and remained deep in thought. "I can sense deep pain and grief. Torment." Rex raised his eyebrows, "What do you mean sensed?" Ryki zoned out, more and more visions and voices flooded her mind. She heard billions of voices cry out in agony. She had not realized she spoken her thoughts out loud. "Ryki? Ryki?!" 

"Huh?" Tugging on her hand brought her to reality. "Are you alright?" It was Omega. Startled, she started at Omega, squeezing her small hands lightly. "Y-yeah." The boys were confused. " 'Sensed', what do you mean sensed?" Rex asked again, looking at Ryki right in the eye. "I-" 

"Are you a Jedi?" Ryki shook her head and glanced at the Batchers, maintaining eye contact with four curious and confused clones then turning away to look at Rex.

"No." 

"Are you force sensitive?" The mirialan winced at the question. The Batchers did not know about it yet, only that she has some 'abilities'. They did have suspicions that Ryki might have been a Jedi or something like that. Guess the tooka cat's out of the bag. It is no use lying to the captain or the others "...something like that".  

Hunter cleared his throat to break the uncomfortable silence "How do you suggest we get them out?" Rex finally released the hold on his blaster. "Good question. I'll be in touch." 

-----

A little while after Rex's warning about the chips, he left Ord Mantell. Ryki's now multipurpose home was a place for the Bad Batch to lay low when they were not hunting, also awaiting Rex to contact them. Omega, Hunter, Tech, Echo and Wrecker sat around the fire while Ryki disappeared into the house. Slumping tiredly onto the chair, she ran her memories from the earlier conversation in Cid's place. "Stupid. Stupid stupid stupid." Eyeing the spotchka, she took one swing from the bottle. Then another, and another and - "Ryki?" 

The mirialan nearly choked on her drink when Omega entered the house. Drinking in front of a child is not the best example. "Omega, uhm. Hey." Nervously she patted the seat beside her, placing the bottle on a table. "Had dinner?". Omega nodded. Ryki smiled and let Omega slowly settle beside her. It was quiet for a while, then Omega decided to ask one nagging question she had. "Are, you okay?" Ryki hummed and leaned her head backwards, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" Tired smile on her face. Omega slowly began to fidget with her hands, a habit she had when she was nervous or worried. "Omy, are you okay?" Ryki tentatively asked. "Can I ask you a question?" Omega asked quietly. Without hesitating Ryki nodded, "Back at Cid's place. You were not just scared. I could feel it something more. Why are you scared?" Realization pooled in the mirialan's mind, "Not scared. Just..." Ryki fell back into silence, only for Omega to comfortingly place her own hand on Ryki's shoulder. She looked into Omega's eyes softly, then sighed "I'm just worried kiddo." 

"About?" 

"My uh, 'ability'." Ryki air quoted. "I have secrets Omega. Secrets I want to hide from people-"

"-from people who hurt you?" The female clone trailed off. "Y-yeah." Ryki's broken voice echoed in the room. "Why would people hurt you? You're a good person." Chuckling at Omega's innocence, she partially envied it. "People, Omega, many people in this galaxy are greedy and bad. They use others for their own good. They make innocent people do bad things for them." Ryki spoke emotionless and out of experience. Her years of slavery and torture always haunted her. She had a fear of being hunted and returned to her death. Freedom was only a temporary luxury a few could afford. A slaves luck came from death because it gifted them eternal freedom from a life of servitude and torture. "They used my ability for bad reasons Omega. To many people, I am as bad as my masters." 

By then, Omega had clung to Ryki's left arm. "I'm sorry." She said in a soft voice. "I can feel your pain." Her voice cracked which nearly made Ryki's crack too. "No problem." Ryki gently ruffled Omega's hair. "You know, you and I, we're both alike." The kid's eyes rose to meet green coloured ones. "We both are able to feel peoples emotions and understand them so easily." 

"Am I force sensitive?" 

"I'm not really sure. Maybe you have enhanced abilities like the others." Omega hummed and shrugged. "Maybe." It was quiet again, but comfortable. "I think, you should tell Hunter and the others." Ryki scrunched her nose and begrudgingly agreed. 

Omega pulled on Ryki's hand and led her out of the house. Four pairs of dark brown eyes greeted them in silence. "I, we need to talk." 

The boys silently huddled closer to the fire. All quiet in their own thoughts. "Why didn't you tell us you were force sensitive?" 

"Well dark and broody: let's just say, I had my reasons." Ryki sat on the ground, Omega by her side. "How long have you known about your force sensitivity?" Tech asked. 

Ryki had to ponder on that herself. "Since I was a kid, I guess. It was more apparent when I was eight years old." 

"How did the Jedi not find you then?" Echo asked next. It was a valid question since most force sensitive children were taken from their families at a younger age to train in the Jedi ways. 

Ryki shurgged, actually not knowing why and partially relieved that the Jedi did not find her. "Beats me. Maybe I'm just different." 

Ryki watched as the clones tried to digest the new information in. "Does this have to do with your slave past?" Hunter carefully inquired. Ryki watched the flames of the fire dance infront of her, then she silently nodded. There were more questions Hunter wanted to ask her, but she beat him to it. "When I was sold into slavery, I was already known in the underworld for my persuation skills. Not my force sensitivity." She took a deep breath before continuing. "After Rafa ungracefully betrayed me, I was sold to an Umbaran slaver. Mor Vendi." She spat out the name with venom. The thoughts of his Zygerrian goons senselessly whipping and tormenting her came back into her mind. Her screams only fueled their entertainment. Her blood only made them lust for more crimson to be spilled. 

"He was your-ehm, how long were you-? 

"I served Vendi for about 6 to 7 years, Tech. I was, about 14 when they bought me." Tech immdeiately felt sorry for Ryki. "I'm sorry." Ryki shook her head, "It's alright. I managed to escape right? I'm alive. It's all that matters." 

"Wont they find you again?" Wrecker worriedly asked. The others seemed to share the same worry, Omega more so. "I found some ways to throw them off my scent. On the night of my escape, I removed my shock collar." Her hands unconsciously reached for the back of her neck. Even through the dim light, the boys could see marred skin around her neck. Ryki hissed throguh her teeth, "I payed a person to remove my collar and to make no mention of me."

Hunter hummed quietly. "You got rid of the tracker." Ryki raised her head to look at Hunter and nodded but her looks soured soon as realization dawned on her, "For now I guess. I haven't had bounty hunters after me so I think I'm safe? I only have to make sure Cid does not decide to turn me in. If she does that I'm done for." 

This slightly piqued Tech's curiosity, "Exactly how much is you bounty?" 

"Eh, last I heard, 8000 credits." 

Gasps escaped the boys and it highly amused Ryki. She took it as a compliment. "I hope your not planning on turning me in then..." She chuckled. Omega took it a little worriedly, "Hunter, we're not turning her in right?" 

Wrecker nearly jumped out of his skin "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" The mirialan only offered a full grin.

"N-no Omega. We're not-No. No." Ryki watched as the boys tried to wrap their heads around the fact. "You alright boys?" 

A collection of 'yeah's' and 'I think so's'  went around the fire. "They must be really desparate." Echo still looked shocked from her revalation. "It is logical. Force sensitives that are undiscovered by the Jedi are rare. To find a force sensitive after Order 66 is more rare." Tech informatively mentioned. Hunter simply kept on giving Ryki  shocked looks, "I can't believe it. Ryki you look completely harmless. " 

Wrecker laughed nervously, "Not really Hunter. She makes a scary doctor." For a moment the others grinned and laughed. It only lasted temporarily, like her freedom, the glumness came back. "I've done things for Vendi that caused harm to others. Innocent people. I'm no better than he is." 

"Don't say that." Omega cut her off. "You had no choice Ryki." 

Innocence. Omega was innocent. Ryki had and will never have the heart to destroy that. Omega will learn soon. Ryki only offered her a small smile. "Anyways, that is my depressing story. You shared your secrets, I shared mine. I'm sorry it took so long." 

Hunter shook his head, a sad smile on his face. "It's not your fault. We shouldn't have pried." 

"But-" 

"He's right Ryki. You already agreed to help us and trusted us with your life. It's only respectful we understand your boundaries." Ryki smiled, "And I appreciate it, Echo. But I was going to say-" 

"Look Ryki, you're our friend. We should not have asked you so much." Wrecker cut her off this time. Ryki sighed, "Thank you Wrecker. Thats really sweet, BUT-" 

Tech this time decided to butt in, "Factually, rethinking about your past could trigger some bad memories. It could lead to panic attacks and sudden fear." 

"Yeah, yeah I am aware, I was saying though that-" 

"-and it could trigger PTSD or even-" 

"GUYS, guys." Omega shouted over the boys, effectively bringing their rambling to a stop. "Ryki knows and she understands." The mirialan smiled gratefully at Omega. "She has something to say, but she thinks its all very sweet of you." 

Ryki bit her tongue at the last part and shyly grinned when she noticed four clones going a little pink. She choose to ignore that and go to the point before any further interruption. "Thank you, Omy. Okay, like I was going to say, I truly appreciate your worry about it. I truly do." The boys calmed a little then she continued. "I was also going to say that I don't mind sharing my past with you guys. I trust you." She confidently told them. 

Baffled and surprised, Wrecker asked her why. "Simple. Your the most decent group of people I have ever met. Not to mention your taking care of a little girl which honestly says a lot about you guys." 

"You really think that?" Hunter quizzically raised and eyebrow. "Yes. You guys are, I don't have the word to put it... I know I trust you. I know your good people. You have each others backs and you stick up for each other. That's amazing loyalty and courage right there." 

Slowly, the members of the Bad Batch beamed at Ryki praise. It was good to feel appreciated. "You fight for the right things and the righ reasons. That, and also you take care of a little child which is just absoulutely adorable!" Ryki squeeled. 

The evening passed on to the night and the whole squad continued to chat and poke fun here and there, sparking laughter and joy. It was one of those nights where everything seemed perfect and peaceful for all of the members of the Bad Batch. The night ended with Ryki and Omega making Wrecker take his medicine again, which was all together too entertaining for Hunter, Tech and Echo to not watch it. As the flames reduced to ambers, the speckled night sky covered the Bad Batch as they hunkered down for the night. 

Omega brought her sleeping bag closer to Ryki's and huddled into her side for warmth. The mirialan started off into space, thinking about nothing. "Ryki, you should really get some sleep." Hunter's spoke in a soft tired voice. "Could say the same too you dark and broody." She smiled and turned to look at the Sargent. "Hey Hunter?" 

"Yeah." 

"Thanks for taking me in." She said with a sleepy smile and returned her eyes to the heavens. "And thank you for listening to my story." 

Hunter observed the peace on her facial features, how her muscles relaxed. She truly looked safe. That's because she hasn't felt this safe in a long time. Hunter knew that. "Your welcome. Thanks for joining us, Ryki." 

The crackling of fire wood filled the empty but comfortable silence. "Oh and, don't worry about Vendi. The boys and I will keep you safe. Your part of this squad now too." 

Ryki turned to look at Hunter with raised eyebrows and looked really surprised. The sargent laughed at her reaction, "Goodnight, Ryki." The mirialan huffed and grinned to herself, "G'night, Hunter.

---------------------------------------------------

-AND THATS part one of the most adrenaline pumping episode of BB that i have watched and honeslty i thought Wrecker was going to die for a second. I legit prepared myself to cry. -